When it comes to history, archeology and mythology, the Peloponnese is arguably the most interesting part of Greece. Our week of cycling is a journey through fascinating classical history and a superb variety of landscapes, from the azure blue of the sea to the green olive trees and vineyards of the heart of Greece. Starting and finishing in the buzzing city of Athens, the ride offers plenty of opportunities to discover some of Greece’s treasures, such as Poros Island or the beautiful town of Nafplio. Each day gives us the chance to sample excellent local food in various restaurants and tavernas and immerse ourselves in the Greek culture and lifestyle.

Cycling profile

Daily distance in km/miles:

Day 2

55.0km/34.2miles

Day 3

40.0km/24.9miles

Day 4

39.0km/24.2miles

Day 5

37.0km/23.0miles

Day 6

62.0km/38.5miles

Number of days cycling: 5

Pace: Moderate: 13-16km/8-10miles an hour

Terrain: Low altitude; 80% tarmac, 20% dirt roads

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Athens.

Start Athens. After meeting with our leader, there is time to walk around the Plaka, arguably the most picturesque part of Athens.See more images and videos

2Day 2Cycling around Athens and its sights including the Acropolis; ferry to Poros Island and cycle to a beautiful beach for a swim; onward boat to Galatas on the mainland.

In the morning, we explore some of the main sights in Athens by bike. Our route around the city takes us at a relaxed pace to some of the must-see sites: the Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch, the Roman Forum & Tower of the Winds, the Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, the Ancient Theatre of Dionysus and towering Acropolis. Athens is built on the slopes of a number of hills and valleys, and although the distances are not huge on this tour there are a number of ups and downs before our final descent to Piraeus harbour through a busy road. Here we catch the ferry across the Argosaronic Gulf (approximately 2h15min) to Poros Island.
In Poros, we cycle around town and ascend to the temple of Poseidon, from where we enjoy amazing views of the island. We then head down to one of the many beautiful bays where we can enjoy a refreshing swim.

3Day 3Boat to Galatas and scenic coastal ride to the ancient site of Epidaurus.

In the morning we take a boat to the Peloponnese mainland and, after cycling through olive groves and quiet hamlets, we start our ascent along one of the most dramatic coastlines in Greece, boasting breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. The views are just reward for the number of short steep ascents along the way, which eventually lead to a 5km long descent to the ancient town of Epidaurus. Palia Epidaurus (or "Old Epidaurus"), to give it its full name, is built around a natural harbour and is our base for the night.

4Day 4Optional visit to the magnificent theatre of Epidaurus, before heading towards Tolo on quiet old roads.

After a short uphill ride of approx. 10km, there is an optional visit to the ancient site of Epidaurus. If you don't want to visit the site, you can relax at the hotel before riding to join the group as they finish their visit. From Epidaurus we head inland and ride along quiet, undulating mountain roads and descend to the seaside town of Tolo.
Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its amphitheatre that was built in honour of Asklepius, the God of Medicine and son of Apollo and Coronis. The huge theatre, renowned for its size, symmetry and acoustics held up to 15,000 spectators in its peak.
See more images and videos

5Day 5After visiting Nafplio, one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, today's ride takes us into the heart of the Peloponnese to Mycenae.

Leaving Tolo, we make our way to Nafplio, one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece and capital of Modern Greece in the early 1800s. Situated on the hillsides at the northern end of the Argolic Gulf, the town contains numerous neoclassical buildings as well as the Palamidi Castle.
Riding to the heart of the Peloponnese, we leave the coast behind and make our way to the world famous site of Mycenae. The imposing Lion Gate, dating back to 1350-1200 BC awaits us on our arrival. Outside the walls we can see many of the wonders Mycenae is known for: the vault-shaped tombs of Lions, Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, and the Treasury of Atreus. An optional visit of the site is highly recommended (2km ascent from our hotel).
See more images and videos

6Day 6Our first stop today is Nemea, a town famous for its wine, and we will visit a winery before continuing to Loutraki.

A challenging start to today's ride see us climb to the village of Nemea. The town is nowadays famous for its exceptional wine and we get the opportunity to visit one of the wineries, see the process and perhaps taste (a little!) before we continue on quiet country roads to Corinth and then on to Loutraki, where we spend the night.
For those who wish to do some extra riding, it is possible to cycle to the Acrocorinth site for an optional visit. This route however is very steep in places and will add an extra 20kms to the days ride.
See more images and videos

7Day 7Enjoy a relaxed morning, perhaps head to the beach, before taking the bus to the centre of Athens and a metro to our hotel.

From Loutraki, we take the bus to the centre of Athens and a metro to our hotel.
Back in Athens we enjoy a free evening to sample some more delicious Greek food and maybe have a last walk in the city centre.

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are moderately fit and possess a spirit of adventure. Some previous experience is required for most activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers

What's not included

Travel insurance

Bike hire (available locally from GBP80 paid on booking)

Single accommodation (available on request from GBP195)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels & Pensions

You will spend 7 nights in 2 and 3 star hotels and pensions, often located near interesting sights or by the Aegean. All rooms have en suite facilities.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
British and other EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit Greece.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

Distances per day vary from 40km to 60km; there are options to make the days longer if required. There are no transfers to or from hotels on this trip: all the rides are designed to be door-to-door.
Road conditions are usually good, but in places the tarmac will be pot-holed and the conditions not quite as good.
We aim to use quiet roads where possible, but sometimes we need to pass busy sections in order to reach the quiet roads on the other side. On Day 2 we will be cycling through Athens, where traffic can be intense.

The main itinerary of this trip is classified Road
No. of days cycling: 5, plus optional rides
Activity Level: 2 (Moderate); optional ride on Day 7: 3 (Moderate/Challenging)
Vehicle Support: 100% (with limited seats). The optional rides may be unsupported.
Terrain and route: 80% tarmac, 20% dirt roads. Route follows quiet roads; the terrain is hilly with some long, but gradual climbs and a two steep climbs (approx. 8km in total) on day 3. The optional ride on day 7 is more challenging also due to time constraints.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts are included and are generally buffet style Greek breakfast with bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea included.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

The Peloponnese is blessed with a pleasant Mediterranean climat. Clear blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures can be enjoyed for most of the year as the winters are quite short. During the summer (July and August) the temperatures can go up to around around 40degC (104degF).

May: pleasant daytime temperatures 17-28degC night time 8-13degC; a chance of some rain; spring flowers can be seen.

June, September and October: daytime temperatures 20-32degC, night time 14-19degC; very dry, but a chance of a shower in October.

With Yiannis guiding and Angelos supporting the trip was definitely one of my favourites. The cycling was at a steady pace with plenty of breaks and although there were a few hills they were not too extreme. This trip allows you to see many archaeological sites over the week whilst also seeing the stunning Greek scenery. Obviously a week's cycling needs to be rewarded and that is definitely achieved with the great food, drink &amp; company.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cycling Sunday morning through the streets of Athens so seeing the sights without too many other tourists around.
The many kilometres of cycling along the coast looking out to the Aegian sea.
The great amphitheatre at Epidaurus.

What did you think of your group leader?

Yiannis did a great job of keeping the briefings short in the evening but still informative. He was obviously passionate about Greece and wanted to pass that passion on. As someone who knew little about Greek mythology the stories that he and Angelos told have given me an insight. Yiannis &amp; Angelos did a fantastic job of keeping us fed, watered &amp; our bikes in working order.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Even in May it is already relatively warm (high 20s) but the regular breaks meant that this was manageable.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Can you always guarantee a bike available to hire locally?

‘In-country’ bike hire should be arranged at the time of booking, and the cost will be added to your invoice. Please note that there are a limited number of bikes available locally. We always have to match a person's height to the bike frame size and, as there are a limited amount of each size, we cannot always guarantee availability of the correct frame. Therefore it is recommended you add the local bike hire as early as possible.

Andy Ross - Product Manager

Some days look quite long. Do we need to be experienced cyclists?

No. The leader carefully breaks up the distances covered with refreshment stops and lunch. The terrain will vary but clients are always free to hop on the support vehicle that shadows the whole group, if they feel like a break. Saying that, you do cover more ground than you think, especially with a tailwind behind you!

Will Shoubridge - Agency Sales

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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